My Sister's Prayer by Mindy Starns Clark

Author:Mindy Starns Clark
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780736962919
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Celeste

The morning after Celeste installed Berta with the Petits, the physician stopped by the inn and told her that her sister did indeed have typhoid fever.

“She’ll need care and rest for quite a while. She’s fortunate to have survived. It will take some time until she’s over the fever and regains her strength.”

“Thank you.” Celeste pulled her pouch from beneath her skirt. “Did you inform Madame Petit?”

“Yes. She and her maid are committed to caring for her.”

Relieved, Celeste paid his fee, trying not to worry about how long her funds would last. And though she kept the money hidden away in her pouch, she later tucked the brooch from Jonathan under the pallet, where it would be safe. No one besides Sary and herself climbed the ladder to the loft. There was no reason for her to carry it around any longer.

August began even hotter than July. Celeste attended the service at the parish church the first Sunday of the month. Mr. Edwards had explained that attendance was compulsory, at least once a month, and she could be arrested if she didn’t attend. She sat next to Aline throughout the Anglican service, missing her family and fighting back tears. She barely listened as the priest read from the Book of Common Prayer and then the Books of Homilies. Instead, her thoughts stayed on her family in England and on Berta. She also scanned the group of soldiers sitting closer to the front, but she didn’t see Jonathan. Perhaps he’d traveled to the Vines’s plantation for the day. Governor Nicholson sat in the very front pew.

When Celeste stood to leave at the end of the service, she saw Spenser slipping out the back. She quickly followed, but by the time she exited he was gone. On their way through the churchyard, Aline detoured toward a cluster of graves, making a quick sign of the cross as she passed by a more recent plot.

When Celeste asked who was buried there, she answered, “One of the maids.” Then she pointed across the way. “Over there is Miss Annabelle’s grave.”

Celeste shielded her eyes from the noon sun. All of the staff had had so many losses in such a short time. Life was brutal everywhere, but especially in this New World. Relief filled her, again, that she and Spenser had reached Berta in time.

That afternoon, Governor Nicholson came into the inn. He’d been out for a stroll and decided to stop in for a cup of tea and perhaps another serving of Sary’s bread pudding. She’d made some the night before, and there were leftovers.

As Celeste served the pudding, the governor asked her how long her parents had operated their inn. She quickly explained that they had left France nearly twenty years ago and began operating the inn soon after.

“They arrived in London around 1685?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Huguenots then?”

She nodded.

“What trade did your father have?”

“He was a printer. He still works as one at the London Gazette.” As soon as it came out of her mouth, she felt she’d said too much.

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